Southbound - 2018? (Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, Crestview: for sale, real estate, lease)

[Inspector1489]

We will be making our second trip to the Pensacola area later this month to do more exploring in advance of relocating sometime next year after I retire. We're looking at SFH, new or resale in a subdivision (preferably no HOA) or up to one acre lot, $230-275k, 3-4 br, 2-3 bath, 2300+ sf. I've seen plenty online that fit our needs. Just need to settle on a location.

A short backstory: In May, we stayed in Fort Walton Beach and did quite a bit of road work, heading east toward Destin along rt98 to Santa Rosa Beach, then up rt331 to rt20 into Freeport. We visited Hammock Bay, a very attractive community, but probably too remote for us (although access to the Gulf on improved rt331 seemed like it would be great). We then continued west on 20 to Niceville. That was a very enjoyable drive, and we stopped for dinner in Niceville. We weren't there long enough to form an opinion, and soon we were on our way toward Milton along rt85, with a drive-by of Crestview. The little we saw of CV from the car left us underwhelmed. On our way to the airport for our flight home, we had mapped a couple possibilities near Catonment, and came away wanting to see more. The takeaway from our May trip was we "penciled in" the greater Milton/Pace/Cantonment to the list.

Our thinking at the moment is we'd like to be closer to Pensacola, with the furthest east point being Defuniak Springs, and most likely north of I-10. I know that's a 90+ mile distance, but here are some things I'd like your feedback on:

1) Although we didn't visit Defuniak Springs or Crestview, give us reasons we should consider them.
2) Niceville is well south of I-10, but should it be on our list? Is flooding a concern there?
3) Heading north from Cantonment toward Jay on Chumuckla Hwy (rt197) looks to be rural and mostly farmland. Any thoughts on that area - both current and looking into the crystal ball? Don't ask me why - but that area has my interest.

Thanks everyone!

[southernnaturelover]

Keep in mind that Cantonment is in Escambia County, while Milton and Pace are in Santa Rosa County. A lot of people with children are moving to Santa Rosa County because it's perceived that the schools are better, and real estate prices in SR County reflect that. The Chumuckla Hwy area north of Pace is very desirable though, when land comes up for sale it gets snatched up quick.

I recommend also looking around the Gonzalez area around West Kingsfield Rd, near Ransom Middle School and Tate HS. There are some houses in that area with larger lots, and it's very convenient to shopping on Nine Mile Rd.

You'll find that as you gets closer to the coast in areas like Niceville and FWB, the soil is very sandy and lawns often don't look so great... it gives it sort of a barren look. As you get about 20 miles inland the soil has a little more clay in it and holds more moisture.

[Inspector1489]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

Keep in mind that Cantonment is in Escambia County, while Milton and Pace are in Santa Rosa County. A lot of people with children are moving to Santa Rosa County because it's perceived that the schools are better, and real estate prices in SR County reflect that. The Chumuckla Hwy area north of Pace is very desirable though, when land comes up for sale it gets snatched up quick.

I recommend also looking around the Gonzalez area around West Kingsfield Rd, near Ransom Middle School and Tate HS. There are some houses in that area with larger lots, and it's very convenient to shopping on Nine Mile Rd.

You'll find that as you gets closer to the coast in areas like Niceville and FWB, the soil is very sandy and lawns often don't look so great... it gives it sort of a barren look. As you get about 20 miles inland the soil has a little more clay in it and holds more moisture.

Thank you southernnaturelover. We appreciate your feedback.

[moondoggy51]

Unfortunately, most of the newer subdivisions that are most desirable has HOA's so if that's a true limiting factor then that's a problem. If it's not that much of a problem then I would look in Pace along Chumuckla Hwy, Woodbine and up Quintette Road. There's an intersection where all 3 roads come together called 5 points where Publix is building a new grocery store where a large number of subdivisions exist that might meet your needs. At lease two are gated but most are not. Not to say there are not equally nice area's to purchase a home but I bought a nice all brick home in the area I mentioned and we love it here. Still a bit rural but at the same time my wife can be at the mall in 25 minutes or less. As Southernnaturelover said, people are attracted to Pace because of the schools but as a retiree we still think it's great place to live.

[Inspector1489]

HOA is not a dealbreaker, but a consideration. It would be a cost/benefit issue.
The 5 points area you mentioned sounds very promising. We had visited an area along Anderson Rd. in Milton on our last visit, and the new Publix would be a little shorter drive than to the one in Pace on 90. And when you say the "mall" - you mean Pensacola? Wifey can't be too far from a Kohls!!
We'll be down next week. Order up some calm weather for us if you would.
Thanks for your input moondoggy.

[Inspector1489]

From southernnaturelover: I recommend also looking around the Gonzalez area around West Kingsfield Rd, near Ransom Middle School and Tate HS. There are some houses in that area with larger lots, and it's very convenient to shopping on Nine Mile Rd.


I just mapped this area, and I recall driving through an established subdivision named Windsong over that way that we really liked. Many beautiful, mature trees along Sundance Ln. and nicely kept homes in a modest sized development. We will definitely look more closely around that area.